Peach tree named ‘Glacier Queen’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid season and requires about 450 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late August, with first picking on Aug. 24, 2011. The fruit is uniform, very large in size, sub-acidic in flavor, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and good in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘GLACIER QUEEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘GlacierQueen’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 2000 as a first generationcross using ‘Snow Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach as theselected seed parent and an unnamed yellow flesh freestone peachdesignated by code number ‘3P1236’ (unpatented) as the selected pollenparent. The fruit of this cross was gathered that summer, and the seedswere removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings ontheir own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlingswere transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2004 I selected thepresent variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings describedabove. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, Iasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘3P1236’(unpatented) peach, by producing peaches that are large in size, firm intexture, globose in shape, freestone in type, and mostly red in skincolor, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing peaches thatare white instead of yellow in flesh color and that are sub-acidicinstead of acidic in flavor.

The present variety is most similar to its seed parent ‘Snow Princess’peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) by producing fruit that is white inflesh color, mostly red in skin color, globose in shape, freestone intype, and sub-acidic in taste, but is distinguished therefrom by havingglobose instead of reniform leaf glands and by producing fruit that issomewhat larger in size and that matures about twenty days later. It isto be noted that the claimed ripening time for ‘Snow Princess’ peach inU.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570 was Jul. 20, 2000. It has been determinedduring subsequent years that the ripening time for ‘Snow Princess’ peachis usually between August 1st and August 5th, with the actually date offirst pick recorded this year as Aug. 5, 2011.

The present variety is similar to ‘Pearl Princess V’ peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 19,919) by producing fruit that is nearly white in flesh color,mostly red to pink in skin color, freestone in type, firm in texture,globose in shape, and has a bitter tasting kernel. However, the presentvariety differs from the ‘Pearl Princess V’ by having globose instead ofreniform leaf glands, by requiring 450 chilling hours instead of 500, byproducing fruit that is somewhat larger in size, and by maturing about56 days later.

The present variety is similar to ‘Snow Duchess’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 17,281) by producing fruit that is nearly white in flesh color,mostly red to pink in skin color, freestone in type, firm in texture,globose in shape, and has a bitter tasting kernel. However, the presentvariety differs from ‘Snow Duchess’ by having globose instead ofreniform leaf glands and by producing fruit that is much larger in sizeand that matures about ten days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thevariety blooms during the early to mid season and requires about 450chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in late August, with first picking on Aug. 24, 2011. The fruitis uniform, very large in size, sub-acidic in flavor, globose in shape,freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color,mostly red in skin color, and good in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, two insets to reveal buds andblossoms, and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of somewhat overripe on Sep. 4, 2011, on the original tree duringits eleventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions weremade the previous blooming season. All major color code designations areby reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘Snow Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach.-   Pollen parent: ‘3P1236’ (unpatented) peach.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and    a spread of 10′ [3.05 m.] after eleven growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 450 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Slender, reaching a maximum diameter of 6″ [152.4 mm.]            after the eleventh growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Dark grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br] and Dark            brown [59. d.Br] variegation with Moderate orange yellow            [71. m.OY] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 9. Color:            Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4            mm.] to 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of Main scaffold is 4¼″ [108 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 2¼″ [63.8 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: A Dark grayish yellowish brown [81. d.gy.yBr]            and Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 60 on second year            wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Size: 1/64″            [0.4 mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second year wood. Shape:            Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 6⅜″ [161.9 mm.]. Average Width:            1 11/16″ [42.9 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 75 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green [115. v.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green            [119. l.YG] becoming Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] with            maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Alternately            positioned on petiole and base of blade. Size: Small. Form:            Globose. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming            Grayish reddish brown [46. gy.rBr] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically 11/16″ [17.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2 1/16″ [52.4 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Five, extra petal fragments are            occasionally observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, very wavy, occasional notches.        -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light            purplish pink [249. l.pPk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Light orange [52. l.O] over a Light yellow            [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer            surface.        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.        -   Average pistil length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Early to medium, three days after ‘Snow            Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 18, 2011.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 26, 2011.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Somewhat overripe, Sep. 4, 2011.-   Date of first picking: Aug. 24, 2011.-   Date of last picking: Sep. 5, 2011.-   Size: Uniform, very large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3¼″ [82.6 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅝″ [92.1 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—3⅝″ [92.1 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—13.9 ounces [394 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Circular to slightly oval.        -   Axial view.—Round.-   Suture: A distinct line that extends from the base, along the side,    to just beyond the pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A shallow groove.        -   Along the side.—A shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A shallow groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both sides.-   Lips: Slightly unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on    one sides, Pale yellowish pink [31. p.yPk] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1⅜″ [34.9 mm.].-   Base: Truncate.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Pistil point: Oblique, very short in length, usually depressed    within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—3/8″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.—3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—Very slight.        -   Color.—Deep red [13. deep R] smoothly blending into Light            yellowish pink [28. l.yPk].        -   Down.—Scant, short, does not roll up when rubbed.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—White [263. White] acquiring Dark red [16. d.R]            streaking toward stone with maturity.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Moderate red [15. m.R]            fibers.        -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, melting.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Earliest at apex.        -   Flavor.—Sweet, typically 16 to 18 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Good.

STONE

-   Type: Freestone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Oval.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Acuminate.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed toward the apex and ventral edge,    pitted toward the base.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color: Dark reddish brown [44. d.rBr].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Deep brown [56. deep Br].-   Cavity surface color: Strong brown [55. s.Br].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average width: 1 1/16″ [27.0 m.].-   Average length: 1¾″ [44.5 mm.].-   Average breadth: 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Very slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Vein color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Average length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 14 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to its seed parent ‘SnowPrincess’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) by producing fruit that iswhite in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, globose in shape,freestone in type, and sub-acidic in taste, but is distinguishedtherefrom by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands and byproducing fruit that is somewhat larger in size and that matures abouttwenty days later.